The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-07-01
FEEDING LIVESTOCK.
The Knottfese Problem Encountered
Cattle Ralsers and Farmers.

FEEDING LIVES TOCk.
The KnottIest Problem Encountered bs
Cattle-R aisers and Farmers
In the light of modern science the
methods of breeding and feeding cattle
have been so much improved of late
years that it is claimed that the period
of maturity has been FASTENED more
than one-half. The steer that was
ready for slaughter at five years form
erly is now ready for the butcher in
nearly half that length of time, pro-
vided that the forcing method is
used. The same is the case with pigs
aud other animals that are raised for
the market. Almost any animal can
be forced to prematurity. Physiology
reveals to us the methods by which fat
can be produced by overfeeding, but
whether the muscular growth of an
animal can really be FASTENED by any
process of feeding is very doubtful
Fat itself indicates diseased condition
of the system, and when found excess
sively abundant on an animal, it is the
sure sign of a weak and enfcebled sys-
tenn. Continual overlooking would
soon sicken and kill pig in this condi-
ton unless the knife interferes before
hand to hasten its death. Pigs that
have been raised by the forcing sys-
tem-that is, brought to maturity in
nearly half the time that it formerly
took-always have an excessive amount
of fat, which is often an entire waste to
/ the farmer. If any particular class of
swine diseases are prevalent these over
olv RI
catch it first, and in the majority of
cases they are the first to die of the cpl
zootic. 1t is a matter of doubt whether
or not the diseases are not often induced
by the abnormal condition of the ami
mails. As soon as the feeding season
begins the spread of swine diseases in
creases, and many are the losses
through this cause.
The forcing" system is employed
by nearly all cattle raisers; but when
carried to an extreme it is very doubt
full if it proves profitable either to the
producer or consumer. The only thing
gained in forcing the maturity of the
animal is time; the same quantity of
food is required whether the animal is
matured in nine months or two years (?).
The condition of the meat, however,
in the two animals is very differ
ent. The meat of the over-grown ami
NAL is but half matured, and is devoid
of much of its flavor and nutritive
quality. Moreover, it is overloaded
with fat, which is waste.
Some farmers have to use their best
Judgment in feeding their cattle, as
many of them are not so highly edu-
Gated as to be able to conduct their
feeding upon purely scientific prin-
ciples. To force an animal properly
requires considerable experience, and
| at least practical knowledge of the
scientific principles which govern the
growth and development of the tissues.
All fodder substances contain nutritive
elements of one sort or another, but
none contains sufficient amount of
each to warrant the exclusive feeding
of it to the animals. The system re-
quires a fixed proportion of the var
ious nutritiye elements before it can
reach the highest perfection of physical
growth and development. If this ratio is
not maintained between the food ele-
ments, there is a loss in that one which
contains the excess. In times of extra
feeding this law becomes the more ex-
acting in its demands, because the sys-
tenn is being oyerstrained by the extra
burden imposed upon it, and unless the
utmost care is exercised, a consider
able loss will be the result, or even
death itself will follow. No scientific
rules can be laid down for feeding, the
system of the animal, the condition of
the weather and climate, and the COM
parative value of the foods given hav-
ing important effects in determining
the character of the developing animal.
The farmer must observe for himself,
and in a sense experiment, until he is
satisfied that he has struck the exact
food ration required. Probably first
class hay comes the nearest to a nor
NAL ration of any separate food, but
even this varies so that this statement
amounts to but little of practical value
to the farmer. The time and manner
of cutting it might so change the
character of it that it would not have
the same results in two different cases.
The whole matter of feeding cattle,
even after science has had its say, de-
ponds upon the judicious management
of the farmer; and experimental
knowledge rather than scientific must
be the most valuable aid to him.-G.
| E. Walsh, en- RuraL NetO Yorker.